India reach 456/3 at tea on Day 2 vs New Zealand

Indore, Oct 9 (IANS) Virat Kohli (207) and Ajinkya Rahane (161) extended their fourth-wicket partnership to 356 runs as India reached 456 for three at tea on the second day of the third and final Test match against New Zealand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium here on Sunday afternoon.

Skipper Kohli and Rahane were at the crease when umpires called for the tea break.

Resuming at 358 after lunch, Kohli carried on his batting with the same pace and authority as he did earlier and slammed his second double ton in Tests.

At 199, Kiwi pacer Henry delivered the length ball and Kohli rolled his wrists nicely to work that towards deep square and became the first Indian to score two double tons as captain.

Rahane, on the other hand, was not so fluent, but supported his skipper to make sure he doesn't loose his wicket. He scored his first 150 of his career.

Earlier, Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane helped India reach 358 for three at lunch.

Kohli struck 15 fours off 272 balls, while Rahane's slammed 11 boundaries and three sixes in his 254-ball inning.

Resuming the day at 267, both batsmen started the proceeding on a good note by playing sensibly. They made 91 runs before lunch to get India cross 300-run mark.

There was a period when pacer Matt Henry tested Rahane with short balls, but the Mumbai batsman showed his class and maintained his calmness to reach his personal milestone.